Maryland men’s lacrosse eyes Big Ten title run after Johns Hopkins takedown

In front of a packed SECU Stadium on Friday night, No. 3 Maryland men’s lacrosse brought home more than just bragging rights. With an 11-8 win over archrival Johns Hopkins, the Terps snapped a two-game regular-season losing streak to the Blue Jays, locked up the No. 2 seed in the Big Ten Tournament, and regained the iconic crab-shaped trophy in one of college lacrosse’s fiercest rivalries.

It was a high-stakes matchup with plenty on the line, and Maryland delivered behind a season-best outing from junior attackman Braden Erksa. He erupted for four goals and five total points, including a momentum-shifting, airborne shot that capped off a third-quarter surge and helped the Terps pull away for good.

“These are the games you come here for,” Erksa said postgame. “It’s awesome to make those kinds of plays in games like that and put your teammates in a position to win.”

Erksa, who had been left off the Tewaaraton Award final 25 after preseason recognition, looked every bit the elite player Maryland expected. Friday marked his 10th career hat trick – and his best performance of the year. He was joined on the scoresheet by six different Terps, including freshman Jonah Carrier, whose first collegiate goal off of a faceoff helped swing early momentum in Maryland’s favor.

“Jonah’s goal was huge,” head coach John Tillman said. “That was a big juice goal for us, especially at a time when Hopkins was getting the better of play early on.”

Still, Hopkins wouldn’t go down quietly. Goalie Oran Gelinas turned in a career performance with 21 saves, including 10 in the first half alone. His effort helped keep the Blue Jays within striking distance despite Maryland outshooting them and dominating possession. But a fourth-quarter defensive lockdown and a critical turnover forced by Tillman’s challenge of a Hopkins timeout sealed the win.

Maryland’s defensive unit was equally sharp, holding the Blue Jays to just one goal in the final frame and forcing multiple shot clock violations. The penalty kill unit also stood strong – an important factor, as the Terps committed more penalties in this game than in any other this season.

With the win – and help from a Penn State victory over Rutgers earlier that evening – the Terps clinched the No. 2 seed in the Big Ten Tournament. They’ll now face the winner of No. 3 Penn State vs. No. 6 Johns Hopkins in the semifinals on Thursday, May 1 at 7:30 p.m. ET in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

The Terps (10-2, 3-2 Big Ten) are riding a wave of momentum, having defeated both Ohio State and Johns Hopkins in consecutive weeks. If the late-season surge feels familiar, it’s because last year’s squad found similar form on the road to a national championship game appearance.

“Our goal is, obviously, to win a national championship,” Erksa said. “Whether we get the bye or not doesn’t change that.”

With confidence growing, key players stepping up, and postseason lacrosse just ahead, Maryland looks like a team ready to chase another title.

By: Henry Lilienfeld

Related Links